Friends,
Thank everyone for their support of Todd in this tragedy. He got out with nothing but his laptop and cell phone, they were by the door. (Didn't even have clothes on - just his underwear.) He said he was sure he got Xena out, but is afraid that in the confusion she may have followed him back in when he tried to get in to salvage things (before he realized the fire was too bad and went back out).
His employer will be replacing the actual dwelling. In the meantime, he will live in their "cabin". More like a clubhouse that the owners use when they are having hunts, etc. It's only one room, kitchenette in one corner, and only about 400 sf. He actually has everything he will need for now (a few changes of clothes, just bought at Walmart, dog food, pillow, blankets, etc.) Since there is no storage whatsoever in the cabin, he can't begin to collect things for his house. In the meantime, we're keeping lists of who can donate what so that when the time comes, we'll know what he has/still needs, etc. There is no television service in the cabin, but he's been given a portable DVD player. If you have any old DVDs you'd like to pass along, I'm sure he'd enjoy some movies to watch for the next month or so.
Someone from the Red Cross did come the morning after the fire and gave him gift cards for a couple of places (I think KMart and Winn Dixie).
Yesterday he went to the doctor (I advised that he get something to help him sleep for the next few days since he's probably suffering from PTSS.) Good thing he did, since his BP was at 170/110! So the doctor also put him on medication for that.
His parents came up, and today they're going to get the fire report, get a replacement driver license, get temporary checks at his bank and a new ATM card, and other errands like that.
He will eventually need everything: tools, kitchen items, furniture, clothing, entertainment (DVD's etc.), dog training equipment, hunting equipment, guns, crates; you name it, he lost it.
The big items will be difficult to get from a distance, since he will have so much on his plate for a long time. Smaller items could be shipped after he gets a house. He wears men's size large (shirts, coats, etc.) and 32-34 pants; shoes between 9-1/2 or 10.
I have his account information (we bank at the same bank) and will be depositing checks I receive directly into his account for him. Please make them out to Todd Knouff, but you can mail them to me at: